If You Died Today Or Were Catastrophically Injured In A Car Accident, Who Would Take Care Of Your Family?
Last week three acquaintances of mine woke up and were killed in a tragic, shocking and totally unpredictable accident. I have been a practicing catastrophic injury and car accident attorney since 1979 and the one thing I have learned over and over is that most accidents are sudden and unexpected and never planned for. In times of crisis after an accident, most times people are in shock and not thinking clearly. They have a tendency to make mistakes and do the wrong thing to protect their interests.
If you or a loved one has been one of the most unfortunate people to have been involved in a serious and devastating car accident, it is important that you know what to do to protect your present and future interests, assets, and property. First and foremost, as hard as it seems, one must try to remain calm and follow these steps:
Call the police on your cell phone;
Take notes;
Take photographs;
Put yourself in a safe position to avoid further harm;
If you or a loved one cannot be moved, remain stationary until medical help arrives;
If you were in a car, please turn your hazard lights on and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible;
Photograph and document the accident;
File an accident report;
If you have insurance, contact your insurance company. It is important that you do not wait until after a car accident to find out that your policy does not cover certain expenses such as medical expenses, being involved with an uninsured person, funeral expenses, or lost wages.
The most important issue in dealing with an unexpected accident is to determine who will pay for the victims’ damages. Compensatory damages is a term of art used to refer to medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of future income, and loss of life’s pleasures. It is important not to give statements to anyone but an experienced car accident lawyer. One should not sign any releases or other documents without the advice of counsel. One should not discuss the accident or injuries with anyone but an experienced attorney. Important evidence about how the accident happened and who is responsible must be gathered immediately.
This experienced car accident attorney and his knowledgeable staff knows what to do to properly investigate an accident. Insurance companies employ professionals whose interest is to gather evidence and statements which favor them and are designed to minimize the recovery to accident victims. Smart and sophisticated individuals unknowingly fail to take the proper steps necessary to represent their own interests. I recommend that one have several consultations with a number of attorneys to develop a comfort level due to the fact that in most instances after an accident the injured or deceased claimant will have only but “one bite at the apple”. The bite better be a sizeable one and it is up to you to make sure that your attorney is experienced and qualified.
The catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm of Reiff & Bily has been successfully representing catastrophically injured and wrongful death clients since 1979. For a free no obligation consultation please contact us at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
